news The rural Little Falls man accused of shooting and killing two teenagers in his home Thanksgiving Day will appear in court Monday to ask a judge to reduce his bail. Morrison County District Judge Douglas Anderson set bail for Byron David Smith at $2 million or $200,000 cash without condition at Smith’s...
Brainerd, 56401

Brainerd MN 506 James St. / PO Box 974 56401

2012-12-12 22:52:19

The rural Little Falls man accused of shooting and killing two teenagers in his home Thanksgiving Day will appear in court Monday to ask a judge to reduce his bail.

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Morrison County District Judge Douglas Anderson set bail for Byron David Smith at $2 million or $200,000 cash without condition at Smith’s first court appearance, Nov. 26. Bail with condition would be reduced to $1 million or $100,000 and would require Smith to surrender his passport, any firearms and not leave the state of Minnesota.

Smith, 64, is charged with two counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Haile Kifer, 18 and Nicholas Brady, 17.

Kifer and Brady were allegedly attempting to burglarize Smith’s house when he shot them multiple times. Morrison County sheriff’s deputies did not learn of the deaths until the next day when they responded to complaints of suspicious activity taking place at Smith’s residence.

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel has said that Smith’s actions exceeded the level of force allowed by the law.

New information released Monday regarding the search warrants for Smith’s residence revealed that investigators found audio and video surveillance systems in Smith’s home that recorded video of the break in and sounds of the shooting.

Sheriff Wetzel declined to comment on the evidence found at Smith’s home and said that all matters regarding the investigation are now being handled by the Morrison County District Attorney’s Office. County Attorney Brian Middendorf did not return calls for comment.

Morrison County Court Administration confirmed Smith is scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m. Monday to request a bail reduction.